Taking a second look at the Censorship of Conversation

We, at Blackathlete.net, felt this article was worth re-publishing, epecially with the NFL’s recent decision of possibly pe·nal·iz·ing player’s for using the “N”-word. However, you know we were the first to deal with this topic before anyone else.

NORTH CAROLINA-(BASN)-The censorship of conversation continues.

Plus, the war on words is getting weirder by the moment in this Brave New World.

Just recently, Eastern Michigan head football coach Ron English was fired for saying his team was playing “shitbird football” and referring to them as “quitting ass bitches” and faggot ass motherfuckers.” (Read my previous article The Unexpressed Anger of Black Men in America on BASN)

Are you serious?

I have heard worst things said to me by my Little League football coach.

Let’s not deny reality, we have all seen that VISA Master-card commercial featuring San Franciso’s Jim Harbaugh coaching that Pee-Wee football team with him screaming at them.

But, in this Brave New World, every body is so “Dang- gone” sensitive.

Truthfully, English’s tirade is what my father would have called a pep-talk a few years ago, especially for a team that was 1-7.

Ironically, however, English’s war on words, came after ABC’s Nightline conducted an interview with recently fired Rutgers basketball coach Mike Rice on Friday, who lost his temper, then his job, after video of his homophobia-laced rant at players went viral. (Read my previous article Public Displays of Anger: Dez Bryant)

Sadly, with all of these cell-phones, camera phones, twitter accounts and low level spies in the lock room, nothing is scared anymore.

Regardless, how ugly or juvenile the act or words maybe.

Now, nobody can say the other “F-word” without apologizing, except rapper Enienm, of course, who some how has become the voice of college football. And recently, joined Brent Musbuger and Kirk Herbstreit in the booth during the Norte Dame-Michigan game, where his bizarre behavior left football fans bewildered.

Enienm, in spirit of Hollywood-weirdness, unfortunately, had to get “tea-bagged” on national television by comedian Sacha Baron Cohen and make a deal with the obnoxious Grammy award winning singer Elton John, who is known to use “so-called” inappropriate language in public himself, in order to walk hand to hand with GLADD.

However, rapper Marshall Matters is back in the spotlight again with his new controversial song Rap God, which contains the following lyrics:

Into the motherfuckin’ Rock n’

Roll Hall of Fame even though I walk in the church

And burst in a ball of flames

Only Hall of Fame I be inducted in is the alcohol of fame

On the wall of shame

You fags think it’s all a game

‘Til I walk a flock of flames

Off of planking

Tell me what in the fuck are you thinking?

Little gay looking boy

So gay I can barely say it with a straight face looking boy

You witnessing a massacre like you watching a church gathering

And take place looking boy

Oy vey, that boy’s gay

Honestly, this censorship of conservation and the deletion of words, are creating a underground culture of thought police, who are handing out tickets and fines .

Let’s not forget, what happened to Los Angeles Lakers Kobe Bryant who was caught mouthing the “F-word” on the bench of a basketball game against the San Antonio Spurs. (Read my article on BASN entitled Read My Lips Kobe Gets Fined)

And, no I am not talking about the word “Favre.”

I am talking about the homophobic slur “faggot.”

Seriously, I’m going to get fired or fined for simply writing this word.

I have already used it twice already.

Plus, there is the other word, which no one is supposed to ever say, you know, look around the room before you whisper it in silence, as if you were former Food Network’s cooking star Paula Deen.

Yeah, the “N-word.”

“Nigga, please.”

I know, comedian Richard Pryor said he’ll never use the word ever again after taking a trip to Africa.

But, ESPN’s sports commentator Stephen A.Smith , who allegedly says the word all the time on television, must’ve forgotten Pryor’s promise to eliminate the word from his vocabulary along with former NFL analyst Hugh Douglas, who allegedly called his colleague Michael Smith, the host of Numbers Never Lie, a “Uncle Tom” and a “House N—-.” during an altercation at the House of Blues in Orlando hosted by the National Association of Black Journalists.

And, let’s not deny the fact, that the Philadelphia Eagles WR Riley Cooper, who was captured on camera screaming it at the top of his lungs at the Kenny Chesney Concert, should have received harsher punishment from NFL Commissioner Roger Goddell, who pretends to walk around with a big stick, while protecting the shield and the image of the National Football League.

Cooper’s outburst, however, seems a little childish compared to the Miami Dolphins Richie Incognito’s, who allegedly called former NFL player Warren Sapp a ‘nigger’ during a game.

Incognito’s big mouth and bullish ways, unfortunately, has landed him back in to more trouble this week and made him the face of bullying and hazing in the NFL with his recent beef with team mate, second-year tackle Jonathan Martin, who he referred to as a “half-nigger”.

With Icognito’s voicemail being leaked to the press, everybody is debating his usage of language, while trying to determine whether it should be classified as hate speech. Or, simply unchecked locker room lingo. (Read my article on BASN entitled: Confession of a Hitman: Linebacker Locker room Lingo.)

It is going to be interesting to see how Commissioner Goodell handles this hot button issue as the world watches and reporters dig for my evidence of more bad behavior.

Former NFL player, turned actor, Terry Crews, who appeared on the Arsenio Hall Show, while discussing the Incognito-Martin incident said that the NFL is like “prison with money”

Why? Because, according to Crews, “there is a totally culture based on intimidation, humiliation, and violence…..Because, they try to keep you under control.”

Therefore, I am not surprise, if the “C-word” isn’t also part of the vocabulary being shouted in the locker room as well.

You know the one that rhymes with the word punt, which most Black college football teams refuse to do even when it is fourth down and 38 from their own 22 yard line.

But, fortunately, most Black people don’t really use it.

And course, there is the “R-word,” which, Washington’s owner Daniel Synder loves and will die for, fight for, and defend to the end of time. Even though, he knows deep in his heart it is politically incorrect and offensive.

Besides, if former Republican presidential candidate Sarah Palin can get upset about people using the other “R-word,” why can’t Synder understand that the usage of his team’s logo makes the Aboriginal people of this land furious.

He is such a “Retard.”

Opps.

That was a slip of the tongue.

Or, a slip of the pen.

I mean, a typo.

Regardless, I think, I just need to keep my big mouth shut.

I know, I sound like such a “L-word.”

No, the other “L-word.”

No, silly rabbit.

I am not making fun of Ellen “Degenerant.”

Sorry, I mean Degeneres.

Even though, she is really “funny.”

Seriously, you know what I mean.

Yeah, this article is going to get me into a lot of trouble.

But, I am not finished yet.

Why? Because, I was told by the Grant Hill and the NBA, recently, that I couldn’t use the “G-word.”

No, not G-unit!!!!

Sorry, 50-cent.

Now, that’s so “gay.”

I mean, you know what I am saying. Or, trying to say.

Let me hurry up and finish this article.

Before, I piss-off some more people in my attempt to prove a point.

Never the less, you probably think this article is still pointless.

Why? Because, we still can’t use the “B-word.”

Unless, you are singer Britney Spears, whose new single is entitled “Working It Bitch!”

But, I don’t suggest, that any Black man, who is reading this article, should ever call a Black woman-the “B-word.”

Are you kidding me?

That’s a death sentence.

Calling a Black woman a “Bitch!!!”

Sorry, I didn’t mean to say it, or write it.

However, there is a new B-word, you can’t use, as well, that you might not know about.

And, unfortunately, the fight to ban these bracelets in school might head to the Supreme Court.

Seriously, I thought “titties” was a bad word.

Besides, this was the main reason the rapper Two Chains changed his name from “Titty Boy” in order to become more acceptable.

But, after hearing all of this, I really don’t know what to say.

Really, I am speechless.

Why? Because, there are no other words I can use.

Eric D.Graham, a graduate of Winston-Salem State University, where he received a B.A. in Mass Communication with a concentration in Radio and Television, with a minor in History, with an emphasis in African-American Studies, is currently the Managing Editor of Black Athlete Sports Network, where his articles appear daily along with his controversial cartoon character Bobbee Bee “The Hater.” Graham can be reached at lbiass34@yahoo.com